In God's name

By Jason Byassee

“When I die I shall see myself as I’ve never seen myself before, I shall see myself in the light of God’s truth. That may not be very comfortable at all. Sometimes I feel afraid of it . . . All can do is trust that God already sees that truth and already loves me. So even when I see myself in the most unattractive light, God is still love. Can I accept that? We’ll see when I die.”

Those are the words of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England. This interview is more interesting than other interviews with him on homosexuality, or on the crisis in the Anglican communion: this one is personal. If these and other soundbytes in a 15-minute publicity trailer are any indication, the upcoming 2-hour CBS primetime special, In God’s Name, will not only be worth the time—it will also be spectacular (9-11 p.m., December 23).

Filmmakers and brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, French-born New Yorkers, interviewed 12 of the leading religious leaders in the world, many of whom live in places that provide spectacular background scenery. Together their faith communities make up some 4 billion people. As a journalist myself I wonder how on earth they got these people to sit down with them. The participation of Mark Hanson, head of the Lutheran World Federation, based in Chicago, is understandable. So is the Dalai Lama for that matter—he may be exotic, as the Buddhist leader in the pajamas who frightens the thugs in Beijing, but he’s not exactly press shy.

But the participation of Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, a prominent Sunni Sheikh in Cairo, surprised me; of Yonna Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, and of Patriarch Alexei II, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who barely speaks with other Orthodox leaders, let alone other Christians or secular journalists. A few shots of Pope Benedict leading prayer and playing piano suggest that the filmmakers may have even gotten quality time with Papa Ratzi. Each of these leaders answers deeply personal questions, and there’s B-roll footage of them with children, wives, walking the streets of their cities, or at worship.

Sikh leader Joginder Singh Vedanti speaks of an Indian army attack on his temple in 1984, when he and several dozen survivors sat among the dead and waited their turn to be led away and shot. “I knew I was going to die,” he said, describing his final prayers. “But then they let me go.” His face shows bemusement—like Lazarus fresh from the grave, as we Christians would say.

Patriarch Alexei reflects on the demise of “hostile atheism,” especially in Russia, alongside footage of Orthodox priests marching in parade with Russian army soldiers in Red Square (separation of church and state has yet to catch on). “The dictators wanted to break religion . . . but what came out of it? There are no longer dictators or hostile atheism . . . It hurts to think of how many priests, monks and regular believers were murdered for their faith in Jesus Christ. But there are still many believers who build their life based on God’s law. That is why God will save us all and the church will serve him until the end of time.” His eyes squint with determination at that last eschatological promise—a tiny gesture that makes me believe him.

The most difficult interviewees to watch on this trailer are the Americans: Hanson and Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (perhaps because their clothes and B-roll footage of Chicago and South Carolina are less exotic). Hanson speaks with pride of nailing an “on strike” sign to the door of the seminary in protest of U.S. policies in southeast Asia. Page professes his belief that “We do not live in a playground, we live in a battleground. I believe in the reality of spiritual warfare. I believe God and Satan are constantly battling for the hearts and souls of men and women.” Coming just after the Dalai Lama’s profession of respect for all religions, since they all benefit millions, this comment from Page seemed especially childish. It is unfortunate that both of the Americans sounded the notes of culture war entrenchment.

The film looks at what affects us all: our reason for being, our views of death, how those beliefs affect our families, our communities, our most intimate selves. The program’s glimpse inside such prominent lives is rare and wonderful.

Comments

[Susan Mitchell]

I can't wait to see the special, In God's Name. I've alerted a number of friends; now all I have to do is not forget to watch it myself! Thanks for your insightful preview.

[Suzy]

Such an inconvenient time for clergy who have a long list of responsibilities this season. Thank heaven my college students will be home; they know how to program the DVD recorder. I look forward to seeing it.

[Jason Byassee]

So that was duller than I expected.

[Amy Frykholm]

I didn't think it was dull at all, Jason. I have been pondering images of Amma Mata Amritanandamayi Devi doing Darshan 10 hours a day--a ritual of touching people who are in pain. I thought that was beautiful-and such hard work. Overall, I was stunned and delighted to see all of that on CBS.

[Sallye Wright]

Will this special be shown again and does anyone know when/where? There are so many who are sorry to have missed it.

[Jason Byassee]

Amy I'm glad you liked it. I LOVED the hugging saint too. Good work that, if you can get it ;). I just found the two Americans even more insufferable than I had in the preview. I also found the tone so earnest throughout it grated on me (the Dalai Lama's humor came through as an enormous relief--did none other get the chance to be funny?). The preview I saw had subtitled translations; I was interested that the voiceover translations of the final version seemed much more milquetoast, almost smoothed out to sound more "religious," less political, and so less interesting. I loved the Sheikh of Al-Azar in Cairo and wanted to hear more from him; some of the others seemed squeezed in, undeveloped, and so to take up space--between them and the Americans it was a long 2 hours. It would have helped me actually to have the differences between the faiths highlighted a bit more--these seemed ironed out, except when one group happened to say something critical in passing (the Sheikh speaking of Palestine, the chief Rabbi of Jerusalem speaking of his time during the war). But mostly I'm on the east coast, it started late, 9:30, so by 11 the religious sentiments started to drone... I bet this'll be available on netflix eventually.

[Sallye Wright]

Jason, let's hope the History Channel will pick it up and re-air it. Your comments mirrored my thoughts especially regarding the Americans although I found Hanson's self-description as "an old Hippie" was rather humerous. Having the basic tenets of each religion cited prior to the interviews would have helped in understanding the posture each was coming from, but more than that I wish they had more adroitly addressed the question "Where was God during 9/11?"

[Amy Frykholm]

One thing that astonished me, even in the context of religious platitudes, was that the film was far and above what I take to be our usual public discourse about religion. Not only did the religious right not get center stage, but in the context of all of these diverse voices, Frank Page looked incredibly narrow and unable to maneuver diversity. There was no commentary about that--which I also appreciated--and there were no pat answers. Platitudes yes, but certainty did not win at the end of the day. The filmmakers didn't wrap things up nicely and tell viewers how to think. Perhaps the answers offered were unsatisfying, but I was glad for that.

I agree with Sally though, that no one was really able to answer the question with which the filmmakers started. Maybe they should have interviewed Elie Wiesel. "Religious leaders" are not, perhaps, the best people to ask.

[Flying Sheperd]

Well, I recoreded it -- perhaps a good thing, since my wife woke me up several times as it droned on. I suppose I could claim it was from the "exhaustion" of all the season's activities / demands, but that would be at least partially untruthful since, what I do recall, leaves me feeling like dumping the space I used to record it! Perhaps I'll take a second look, but doubtful at this point. I was not impressed with much that was said, let alone all the jumping around -- a little sound bite here and one there . . . and back for another here and then one there . . . Maybe I can get two cents for the recording on ebay? I can't see this being "rerun" -- my two cents worth

[Flying Shepherd]

Yep, too tired -- the Flying "Shepherd"

[melissa]

I am not ashamed to admit here that I spent the two hours glued to my television and was exceedingly pleased with what I saw. In the context of a range of voices - especially the range of Christian voices (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Baptist) - I felt that this was a more honest representation of religion across the world than we usually ever see on television. To those regular tv-watchers who only get a media-jaded perception of religion (Christianity as only represented by the Christian right, Islam represented in a variety of skewed ways, and no real representation of anything else), hopefully this special helped to show its watchers that there is a larger, more complex, more profound religious population in the world than they might ever have realized otherwise. I found the special to be beautiful, meaningful, well-executed, thought-provoking, and something that I would like to acquire should it ever become available. It gives me hope that religion still has meaning in our world.

[Brian Hanna]

God's Name Is Jesus!
Jesus is our Mighty God and Everlasting Father!

The New Covenant in the Holy Bible teaches that Jesus is the name above all names. There is no name higher than Jesus. He is one with the Father, and God in flesh. The Godhead is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost. Read the following Bible verses for revelation of God's name. To the New Covenant believer and last days people "I AM" has now revealed Himself and His name.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated “God with us.”

Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 12:21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

Colossians 2:9 For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

John 1:1 & 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:15 -18 He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God Said…
Hosea 13:4 …you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.

Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

Are You Still Confused About Who Jesus Is?
John 14:8-9 Philip said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 12:44-45 “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.

John 14:7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

Jesus Said…
John 5:43 …I have come in My Father’s name...

John 10:30 “...I and My Father are ONE.”

John 8:58 (Jesus Said)...“Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

There’s Only One God And Savior…
John 8:24 (Jesus Said)“…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Yes…
1Timothy 3:16 God was manifested in the flesh…

Zechariah 14:9 …“ The LORD is one,” And His name one.

When you mention God, whose name do you use?
Jesus is God! God's name is Jesus. Have you acknowledged Jesus to be preeminent?

Colossians 3:17 …whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

By acknowledging Jesus to be your God and Savior
you will invoke the fullness of God’s mighty power in your life.

Even Though We Have Presented
All This Scripture Proving God’s Name To Be Jesus, Still…
Luke 10:22 …no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”

So We Hope That Through This Study
The Holy Spirit Will Help You Attain!
Colossians 2:2-3 …all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

But Until Then We Are Going To Continue…
Titus 2:13 …looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Romans 9:5 …who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
And To Pray For Jesus To Reveal
This Mystery To You.

(Yeshua is Jesus’ correct Jewish name)

These Bible verses were compiled from the New King James Version by Brian & Jon Hanna
Truth Ministries, PO Box 25096, Cleveland, OH 44125 www.ConnectionMagazine.org, email: editor@connectionmagazine.org
God=Jesus=Holy Spirit=Teacher=Word=Truth=Law=Light=Faith=Believing=Repentance=Salvation=Righteous Living=God’s Will